Inara

Meaning of Inara

Inara is an indirect Quranic name for girls that means illumination, enlightenment, to bring light into darkness. It is derived from the N-W-R root which is used in many places in the Quran and is the root for al-Nour (Light), one of the 99 Names of Allah and the name of Chapter 24 of the Quran.

Or [else, their deeds are] like the depths of darkness upon an abysmal sea, made yet more dark by wave billowing over wave, with [black] clouds above it all: depths of darkness, layer upon layer, [so that] when one holds up his hand, he can hardly see it: for he to whom God gives no light, no light whatever has he! (Quran 24:40)

Could, then, one whose bosom God has opened wide with willingness towards self-surrender unto Him, so that he is illumined by a light [that flows] from his Sustainer, [be likened to the blind and deaf of heart]? Woe, then, unto those whose hearts are hardened against all remembrance of God! They are most obviously lost in error!

We have thus revealed a Spirit to you [Prophet] by Our command: you knew neither the Scripture nor the faith, but We made it a light, guiding with it whoever We will of Our servants. You are indeed guiding to the straight path. (Quran 42:52)

Reader Question About Inara

I heard Inara comes from a nar which refers to the hellfire, is this true?

A name has its own independent meaning apart from its root. For example, the name Noor, which means “light”, “radiance”, and is one of the names of Allah [swt] has an extremely positive meaning and it comes from the same root as Inara. So saying Inara comes from “hellfire” is like saying Noor comes from “hellfire”. In other words, it is a false statement that comes from ignorance of the nature of the Arabic language. Inara, like Noor, has a positive meaning.